OSCE SMM base in Horlivka to have a staff of up to 20 people

The Special Monitoring Mission of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE SMM) has announced that up to 20 people will work at its new office in the town of Horlivka, eastern Ukraine.

OSCE SMM Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug told reporters in Horlivka on Sunday that the patrol base in Horlivka would be the mission's permanent office. Up to 20 employees will work there, Hug said, adding that these people are ready to go to Horlivka today, but there is still a number of unresolved issues with the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR).

The DPR should extend support to the OSCE mission, he said.

The mission has already prepared vehicles, people and equipment, and when this base begins operating, the mission will be able to assist with the implementation of the Minsk peace accords for Ukraine, Hug said.

Previously, the city of Donetsk housed the OSCE mission's only base on the territory of the DPR.